<p>So, my grandfather is 1/2 Native American (Cherokee) and growing up he always told my sister and I a ton of stories and parts of the Native American culture. I always identified myself as partially Native American and I've always loved researching about my history and culture, but I am not an official member of any tribe. Since I always checked both of these on previous applications, I did so on the Common App but recently somebody told me that I was not allowed to do "identify myself as a Native American" because I'm not an actual member. Was I wrong to check both of them and if so should I contact my college and inform them or something? I don't want to get into trouble with this and any advice would be great!</p>
<p>If you don’t have a tribal card or something along those lines then you cannot select Native American (friend applied as Native American, has a card)</p>
<p>Well, on the Common App when I checked Native American it asked if I had a tribal card and I checked no and it still allowed me to put it down. So should I try contacting my school and letting them know that I am not a registered member or do they already know this since I put it down on the Common App?</p>
<p>They already know. My daughter is a registered member of a tribe. When she checked the box that said she was a member she had to list her registration number before she could move on in the application (2013). You didn’t claim membership or list a number so they know you are not registered. </p>
<p>same boat here, grandpa was half Cherokee.</p>
<p>if you didnt put down a number they know your not registered in a tribe. i wouldn’t worry about it. although it may effect student aid because you listed your self as a minority (i don’t know much about the laws regarding this mind you)</p>
<p>but for future reference put down your MAJORITY race UNLESS you are 1/2 or 1/4. it could save you a lot of trouble.</p>
<p>I don’t think how much Cherokee blood you have makes a difference. Whether or not an ancestor was a registered Tribal member does. According to Cherokee.org, to become a member, applicants must meet the following criteria:</p>
<p>“To be eligible for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB)/Tribal Citizenship with the Cherokee Nation, you must be able to provide documents that connect you to an enrolled lineal ancestor, who is listed on the “DAWES ROLL” FINAL ROLLS OF CITIZENS AND FREEDMEN OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES, Cherokee Nation with a blood degree. This roll was taken between 1899-1906 of Citizens and Freedmen residing in Indian Territory (now NE Oklahoma).”</p>
<p>Blows my mind how many people claim their grandparents were full or half Cherokee but that they themselves are not enrolled. If your grandparent were even half, you would have a high enough blood quantum to be fully enrolled. Also amusing how many never claim their NA heritage on anything until college applications and scholarships roll around. With many students in this ethnic group are living on reservations similar to third world countries, can’t we let those truly members of tribes and engrossed in reservation life have the few opportunities and advantages granted them?</p>
<p>“If your grandparent were even half, you would have a high enough blood quantum to be fully enrolled.”</p>
<p>I do have enough to be enrolled and it’s something I plan to do once I turn 18.</p>
<p>"Also amusing how many never claim their NA heritage on anything until college applications and scholarships roll around. "</p>
<p>If you bothered reading what I wrote, I have claimed my NA heritage on papers for years (“Since I always checked both of these on previous applications…”) as long as it didn’t ask for officially registered members. I mainly do this because I have always identified as both, it’s a part of my upbringing, and I always get questions because I am darker skinned because I have Cherokee blood on both sides of my family.</p>
<p>Also, I posted this to make sure I wouldn’t be taking resources from those in that situation. I had no intentions to claim my heritage just for the sake of money or getting into college, and I even called my college to ensure this. Please read before posting next time :).</p>
<p>Native Americans were historically stripped of their heritage through relocation, deculturization, and shame— Of course so many are no longer affiliated with a tribe. Simply being raised within a White culture does not make one White. IMO, requiring legal proof of tribal affiliation is a protectionist and racist practice, and not necessarily on the part of the majority culture.</p>
<p>You are correct. Sorry for my confusion. Right now they’res one undergrad student at Harvard from my country. Would representing this country give me a boost in the sense that just having me there let’s Harvard boast one extra represented country?</p>
<p>I was also wondering this- I am half TRUE Hispanic (Dad is from Mexico and my last name is Garcia, go figure) but my mom is white, and frankly I look like the whitest of white, so should I mark both?</p>